Laura Gillen

Laura Anne Gillen is the U.S. Representative for New York’s 4th congressional district, representing the Democratic Party. Born in Rockville Centre and raised in Baldwin, she graduated from Georgetown University in 1991 and earned her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 2000. Her early career included volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata and assisting with the AIDS crisis. Professionally, Gillen worked as a commercial litigator and served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University Law School. In 2017, she became the first Democrat in over 100 years to be elected Hempstead Town Supervisor. As supervisor, she focused on revitalizing infrastructure, increasing government transparency, and taking legal action against polluters to protect the public water supply. Gillen was first elected to Congress in 2024, unseating the Republican incumbent in a closely watched race. Her legislative focus includes serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Gillen supports expanding the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs through Medicare negotiations, and increasing funding for mental health services. She advocates for the repeal of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to provide tax relief for middle-class families and emphasizes lowering everyday costs for groceries and gas through bipartisan legislation. A supporter of reproductive rights, she favors codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and protecting access to IVF and contraception. Regarding immigration, she supports a balanced approach that includes strengthening border security with increased personnel and technology while streamlining the asylum process and providing legal pathways for immigrants. Her environmental priorities include protecting Long Island’s coastlines and ensuring clean public water supplies through regulation and litigation against polluters. Additionally, she supports gun safety measures such as universal background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage requirements.